Rugby players reduced to tears as memorial event honours father and son

Marking the tenth anniversary of the tragic death of Bram and Chris Lane made for an emotional day in Tewkesbury.

Members of the town’s rugby club paid tribute to the father and son who died there after the 2007 floods. They were overcome after breathing in carbon monoxide fumes from a petrol-powered pump while they tried to get floodwater out of the club’s cellar.

The special memorial day at the club, off Gander Lane, proved to be an emotional one for those who knew the pair.

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After an opening speech and the singing of the hymn Jerusalem, there was a talk given by a representative of Tewkesbury Abbey.

Geoff Sallis, the club’s secretary, said: “It was very emotional. Some people were in tears.

“It wasn’t just about the tragedy of Bram and Chris. It was also about the other events around the floods - people were out of their homes. It changed their lives for quite a time.”

But he added that there had been a joyous side to the event too, with the club celebrating the remarkable amount of work that Bram had done for the club before he died.

Tewkesbury Rugby Club's Archie Bytheway, Sue Key and Finley Bytheway with signed England and Argentina shirts for the raffle

There was a touch rugby tournament and a raffle with prizes such as signed England and Argentina shirts. That raised money for Wooden Spoon, the rugby-related children’s charity and the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Plenty of food and drink was available at the club, which had a marquee in place and Thunder Road provided the live music in the evening.

Sam Thomas, Toby Graham and Alex Cole at the event

Geoff added: “We thought the day was tremendous. There were a lot of youngsters and ladies there as well as men. It made it a really good event.

“A lot of families turned up.”

He said it was pleasing that so many people stayed on after the festivities of the day for the memorial service at the end of it.